Archive: February 2007
Should Metro Riders Have Bill of Rights?
Is this a fair comparison? When Metro riders were commenting in the entry below about the big service disruptions Monday afternoon on the Orange and Blue lines downtown, I was thinking about how JetBlue's management reacted to its storm delays and cancellations. The airline managers practically eviserated themselves in shame over their failure to provide service to their passengers. You can go to JetBlue's Web site and hear David Neeleman, the CEO, apologize for the poor service and promise that it would never happen again. He announces a specific set of service changes to back up that promise. Posted on the Web site is a passengers' bill of rights explaining what the airline will do for you if it fails to deliver the service a customer paid for. From time to time, Metro fails to provide the service passengers have paid for, as happened Monday afternoon when a report of...
By Robert Thomson | February 28, 2007; 8:42 AM ET | Comments (61)
Complaints on Monday's Metro Disruption
I've gotten a couple of complaints today from riders affected by Monday afternoon's service disruption on the Orange and Blue lines downtown, and I'm wondering if any of you had similar experiences. The writers are complaining about a lack of information, as well as about the disruption itself, which followed a report of smoke in the tunnel between Federal Triangle and Smithsonian. Dear Dr. Gridlock: It is rush hour, 6:30 p.m. on a Monday, a large and restless crowd is on the platform at Metro Center downstairs. For almost 15 minutes no information displays on the monitors, no trains pass by (4 the other way), no announcements of any sort and the Manager loitering on the platform knows nothing. Even better, he informs a concerned customer that he has no way to communicate with the office - no radio, only shoes for walking there. Good thing there wasn't an emergency...
By Robert Thomson | February 27, 2007; 2:01 PM ET | Comments (31)
Meetings on Traffic and Transit Concerns
There are two meetings coming up today and tomorrow I thought many of you would like to know about, because they concern issues we've talked about here: Today, it's the Whitehurst Freeway and whether it should be torn down. Tomorrow, it's Metro's budget for the year that starts on July 1. This afternoon at 3 o'clock, D.C. Councilmember Jim Graham, chairman of the Council's Committee on Public Works and the Environment, will convene a public oversight roundtable on "The Future of the Whitehurst Freeway." (That's encouraging. I hope the Whitehurst has a future.) The session will be held in Room 412 at the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. If you're not already signed up to testify, written statements still can be made part of the official record. Copies of such statements should be submitted to LaDorsa Willis, Committee on Public Works and the Environment, Room 116, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave....
By Robert Thomson | February 27, 2007; 6:20 AM ET | Comments (3)
Travel Troubles Here and Abroad
After spending the past week in Mexico City's chaotic traffic, it will take a moment to crank back up to outrage about what we're traveling through here. The freestyle driving techniques in the Mexican capital take your breath away. The rare traffic signal or stop sign is merely an advisory. Lane markings are silly things. Cars slow only for speed bumps on local streets or for the often impenetrable rows of halted vehicles on the highways. Some of you must have had similar experiences in other cities' traffic. What ranks as the worst, and what did it take to restart your anger at our daily experiences in the Washington area? Picking up the Sunday Post's front page and reading about the recent confrontations between Metrobuses and pedestrians was a good start. And looking at the results of the Virginia General Assembly's effort to produce a transportation improvement plan was a...
By Robert Thomson | February 25, 2007; 5:37 PM ET | Comments (21)
Assessing Tuesday's Early Rush Hour
I've gotten a few letters in the past 48 hours complaining about the impact the federal shutdown had on travelers on Tuesday afternoon. My own experience was on the roads: Driving on the inner loop of the Beltway -- well not driving, exactly, more like listening to the radio with the heater on -- as lines of entering cars halted traffic shortly after 2 p.m. The mailbag contained this typical note from a Metro rider. Dear Dr. Gridlock: On Tuesday when the federal government decided to close at 2 p.m. because of the winter storm, did they notify Metro of the decision? Was there anything Metro could've done to get more or longer trains or both into the system to handle the sudden crush of passengers? After 9/11 and the rush to evacuate the city center, one would think that there would be improved coordination between federal officials and local...
By Robert Thomson | February 16, 2007; 8:23 AM ET | Comments (21)
Seeking Commuter Advice on Storms
Drivers, with the snow and ice storm fresh in your minds, what are the chronic trouble spots that people newer to the area should be warned about? I'd like to compile traveler suggestions into a warning list we can use in advance of future storms. Seems to me there might be two categories on this: -- Places that are normally just fine but turn nasty during very bad weather. That might be a highway overpass or ramp that tends to freeze earlier than the rest of a roadway, or a dip in the road where water tends to collect and freeze. -- Places that are normally bad for traffic and should flat out be avoided during a storm. This might be a crowded spot on your everyday commute where many drivers are trying to change lanes, and one mistake can create a dangerous situation or at least a long-lasting jam....
By Robert Thomson | February 15, 2007; 9:08 AM ET | Comments (10)
New Way to Monitor D.C. Snow Clearing
Check out a new way of monitoring the progress of snow clearing equipment in the District. The District Department of Transportation has launched a pilot project on its Web site so people can see what the city's snow crews are doing on the streets. DDOT says the goal is to create a stream of information for the public to see how and when road surfaces are treated during a winter storm, and the department wants your feedback. The site can be found at www.ddot.dc.gov. Click on "Snow Plan," then click on "Snow Automatic Vehicle Locator." Or click on this link to take you there. One thing you'll notice is that this system doesn't do primary roads, like Connecticut or Wisconsin avenues, that are maintained by contractors rather than DDOT crews. You can tell the city what you think of this new information and accountability system by using this e-mail: customerservice.ddot@dc.gov....
By Robert Thomson | February 14, 2007; 6:11 AM ET | Comments (9)
Road Conditions Vary
Just drove from Gainesville to Silver Spring on I-66 and the Beltway. Watch out: Conditions on the road surface can vary dramatically in a very short distance. You might be driving along quite happily in a misty rain when suddenly you'll notice little white pellets bouncing off the hood. You'll look at the roadway ahead and notice that it has turned from black to gray. That happened to me over very short stretches on I-66, but the biggest change occurred when I swung onto the Beltway and headed toward the Legion Bridge. The Beltway was bad right away -- and crowded. That stretch from the bridge up around I-270 and along the merge with Rockville Pike traffic normally difficult but this was worse. It's partly what's falling from the sky, partly the surface temp and road treatment, partly the early dismissal of federal workers. If you find yourself on a...
By Robert Thomson | February 13, 2007; 2:46 PM ET | Comments (1)
Imperfect Solutions Better Than None
Post staff writer Alec MacGillis offers a very good summary of the issues involved in building the rail line through Tysons to Dulles. Big projects like this rarely turn out to be just about getting people from one place to another. The rail line clearly is also about organizing people: organizing where they live and work and how they shop. Meanwhile, in Richmond, the General Assembly is still trying to get organized, as staff writer Mike Shear tells us in today's Post. It's unclear what, if any, transportation plan will emerge by the time the annual legislative session ends this month, but there's still a chance. That debate also is not just about getting people from one place to another. The bill we write the most about is House Bill 3202, the one sponsored by Speaker Bill Howell. Look at the italic parts. That's the new stuff. See how much...
By Robert Thomson | February 12, 2007; 9:04 AM ET | Email a Comment
Rally for Tysons Tunnel Tomorrow
The backers of the upstart proposal to put a Metrorail tunnel through Tysons will hold a rally on Saturday, ending what they see as an encouraging week for their cause. The rally is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow at The Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna. You can find more information about it at TysonsTunnel.org, where it's never over till it's under. The optimism stems from statements made this week by Federal Transit Administration officials indicating that Virginia is not up against an imminent deadline for submitting it's final plan for the rail extension through Tysons. In fact, the feds said, the state has until spring of 2008. This is the goal for the Saturday event, according to the tunnel advocates: "During the rally, attendees will be updated on the benefits of competitive bidding for construction of a tunnel under Tysons Corner as...
By Robert Thomson | February 9, 2007; 8:35 AM ET | Comments (20)
Traffic Alert for Douglass Bridge
It may seem odd to be thinking of mid-summer traffic when you're trying to crank up a cold engine in February, but for some readers, it's not too early to be planning for the big summertime shutdown of the Douglass Bridge on South Capitol Street. The District Department of Transportation plans to divert traffic up to the 11th Street Bridge during July and August. That's by no means the only part of its strategy for easing congestion. There will be a campaign to get drivers to park at the Anacostia Metro station and take the Green Line downtown, park up at RFK and take a shuttle bus and take commuter buses. Plus, the work on the Douglass Bridge will occur during the lightest possible travel months. Still, drivers are concerned. How would you advise this traveler from Prince George's County? Dear Dr. Gridlock: The July and August closing of the...
By Robert Thomson | February 8, 2007; 6:03 AM ET | Comments (6)
Metro Testing New Rail Car
When Metro introduced its newest type of rail car last year, riders were worried -- especially riders within a few inches of 5 feet in height. They didn't like the new design that eliminated the poles at the front and rear of other cars so that riders would move toward the center rather than congregating around the doors. Eliminating the jam of passengers around the doors was a fine idea in principle, they said, but in practice, everybody knows that trains often stutter to a stop at platforms, and people need something to grab onto. Preferably, something besides each other. Few liked the idea of trying to reach up for overhead railings. New cars introduced last year, minus the poles. (Robert Thomson) Today, Metro is going to begin testing one rail car along the Green Line that just might please riders put off by the new design, but there's only...
By Robert Thomson | February 7, 2007; 6:53 AM ET | Comments (82)
Metro GM Wants Delay on Fare Plan
Metro's new general manager, John B. Catoe Jr., plans to ask the transit authority board of directors for more time to review Metro operations before he offers his own set of proposals on fares and service. He is scheduled to present that request at board committee meetings on Thursday. The original plan offered by Metro management in December called for the board to agree this month on the schedule of public hearings necessary before fare and service changes could take place at the start of Metro's budget year in July. This new recommendation does not mean we're spared from fare increases and service cutbacks. Catoe just got started last week and wants a chance to look things over and present his own ideas. Here's how he puts it in his written recommendation to the board: "Fare adjustments and service reductions should be viewed as actions of last resort in the...
By Robert Thomson | February 6, 2007; 8:19 AM ET | Comments (6)
Alert for Conn. Ave. Commuters
The District Department of Transportation says it is shifting the work zone on Connecticut Avenue's Klingle Bridge. Watch for the electronic signs to guide you through the new lane pattern, which could be in place Tuesday, the department says. As work wraps up on the right-hand southbound lane, it will begin on the next lane over. During the morning rush period, which is 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., there still will be three southbound lanes and one northbound, but the pattern will be different from that of the past few months. During off peak periods, it's two lanes in each direction. Then for the evening rush, which is 4 to 7:30 p.m., there are three northbound lanes and one southbound. Looking north on Klingle Bridge during first phase of work last fall.(Robert Thomson) This is a big project on a heavily traveled commuter route. DDOT says the work on the historic...
By Robert Thomson | February 5, 2007; 7:45 AM ET | Comments (8)
It's Only Mostly Dead
The "compromise" transportation plan worked out among some Republican leaders in Virginia was a compromise among those leaders, not a negotiated settlement with the General Assembly members who believe the commonwealth shouldn't set one public priority against the anothers. Now that the Senate Finance Committee has rejected that plan, it's time to work out a true compromise. The political mechanism for it exists in Richmond. The House of Delegates and Senate can do their dealing in a conference committee before the end of the legislative session. Big problem: The session has only three weeks to go. Northern Virginia's advocates for transportation improvements, many of whom were in Richmond on Thursday to lobby for the cause, should not give up now. Some people are pinning their hopes on the November elections to fashion a General Assembly more favorable to big investment in transportation. But that prospect is chancy at best. Just...
By Robert Thomson | February 2, 2007; 8:17 AM ET | Comments (10)
Driving in Winter Weather
With snow showers and slush in the forecast, I thought I'd publish this reader's observation about his drive on the Capital Beltway during the Jan. 21 snowfall, and a request that you let me know about your travel experiences in today's weather. (Either here, on "Get There," or in an e-mail to drgridlock@washpost.com.) Before you leave today, check for current driving conditions on our Traffic Page. Our highway departments actually take a lot of pride in their ability to prepare for and execute a cleanup, while travelers are always on the lookout for lapses. Here's what dismayed one motorist last time. Dear Dr. Gridlock: Unfortunately I had to travel on the inner loop of the Beltway from the Wilson Bridge to Tysons Corner on the evening of January 21st. This snow event was well-forecasted on three counts: timing-wise, intensity-wise, and total accumulation: A light snow fell from 1 p.m. to...
By Robert Thomson | February 1, 2007; 1:00 PM ET | Comments (17)
Metro's Latest Problems
Some greeting for Metro's new GM. At the controls only a week and the new toy keeps breaking down. Some ride for Red Line passengers. You see the new T-shirt on the cover of The Post's Style section this morning? "I Rode the Red Line in January and it was Smokin' " Could be a big seller, even in February, if someone decides to produce it. Lena Sun wrote a story for today's Post about Metro's troubled Wednesday, which involved a bomb scare a small fire at Farragut North for the second day in a row and a fire aboard a bus for the second day in a row. With an excellent sense of timing, Metro also announced a new feature on its customer service phone line that allows callers to get more information about incidents likely to cause significant delays. The transit authority put out a lengthy statement about...
By Robert Thomson | February 1, 2007; 8:05 AM ET | Comments (16)
